Veterans groups urge outreach, flag sponsorship and Honor Flight participation

Several community presenters at the El Paso City Veterans Advisory Committee meeting described ongoing and planned local outreach to veterans, including fundraising, volunteer recruitment and services coordination.

DeBo Wakefield, identified as the committee’s Veteran of the Year, asked each represented district to sponsor at least one flag at the Old Glory Memorial to help with ongoing maintenance. “Our flags have to be maintained and so what we would like to see is for every district that’s represented to at least sponsor 1 flag, which is $50 for the whole year,” Wakefield said, describing sponsorship recognition that would appear on memorial tabs.

Mike Barnes, chair of the El Paso County Veterans Advisory Board, told the committee the board has rebuilt its team and is working to “regain confidence with our county leadership.” Barnes said the board plans to brief county leadership and to reengage with communities to connect veterans and families with services.

Several presenters described volunteer and hospice work. Lazarus Frazier, public‑relations director for Mu Beta Phi Military Fraternity Inc., said the new local chapter will present next month and is seeking collaborations. Nicole Castaneda, volunteer coordinator at Gentiva Hospice (the presenter noted Gentiva is contracted with the VA), described hospice volunteer services that provide medical, spiritual and bereavement support and said volunteers help veterans and families in homes and hospitals.

Wakefield and others urged Help for veterans who have not filed disability claims to consider filing so families can access benefits after a veteran’s death. “It’s for their families,” Wakefield said, explaining why the effort targets older veterans who did not file in earlier eras.

Attendees also described community‑school connections. Beatrice Moncho, a middle‑years program leader at Don Haskins, brought middle‑school students who described making Valentine cards for veterans. Committee members said cards were distributed to inpatient veterans at William Beaumont and to veterans in transitional programs.

Honor Flight promotion was also discussed. A presenter who had flown on an Honor Flight in Las Cruces described the application process and said the trips are paid for veterans; the speaker called the experience “healing” and urged more veterans, especially women, to apply.

Why it matters: The presentations show local veterans organizations, schools and hospice providers coordinating volunteers, outreach and benefits‑assistance work. Committee members took no formal votes but noted collaboration opportunities and asked staff to add some groups to future agendas.